Joining Chieveley W.I

Have you considered joining Chieveley W.I.

If not why not!

They meet at the village hall on the second Wednesday of the month at 13:30.

There is always a warm welcome for guests/visitors (only £3) and members alike.

With a variety of speakers and topics, there is something for everyone. 

A sample of previous demonstrations/meetings include:

Candle makers, Magician tricks, Quizzes and travel experiences. 

The Chieveley branch is 106 years old and each meeting ends with tea, biscuits and a friendly chat.

The idea is to promote building a community, which tackles social isolation.

Here is a sneak preview of what they have planned over the next few months…                      

10th June 2026:  My trip to the end of the world and beyond, featuring Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.     

8^th July 2026:     Gertrude Bell- the greatest Englishwomen  of the 20^th century.

Telephone:  07796546325 / 01635248213 for further details or visit their website.

History of the W.I.

The W.I. was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War.

Since then the organisation’s aims have broadened and the W.I. is now the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK.

The W.I. plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities.

The W.I. celebrated its centenary in 2015 with over 212,000 members in approximately 6,600 institutes.

The Women’s Institute – a lot more than just cakes and jam!

Do they till bake cakes? (and other old stereotypes)

Yes of course they do, and they make jam, and they are involved in all the other home economics and craft activities most people associate with the W.I.

However, the W.I. as a national organisation does much more than that.

Did You Know – the W.I. is the largest women’s organisation in the UK with over 200,000 members 

Did You Know – the first W.I. in the UK was set up in Llanfairpwyll in Anglesey, Wales in 1915.

Did You Know the W.I. campaigns nationally on many issues such as;

• Food labelling
• Safeguarding the future for dairy farmers
• Violence against women
• Climate Change
• Against detention of people with mental health problems
• Saving honey bees
• Third World Poverty

Did You Know the W.I. is now active on Facebook and Twitter and sells many books on Amazon.

Programme

All events take place in Chieveley Village Hallon the 2nd Wednesday afternoon of the month (except Aug)

Doors open 7pm

Meetings start 7.30pm

Other activities organised for members and friends include;

• Coffee mornings
• Walks followed by a pub lunch
• Outings and theatre trips
• Involvement in village activities
• Berkshire WI Federation events

The Women’s Institute

Inspiring women – then and now

The WI is a unique organisation shaped by its members.

In 1915, they set out to give women a voice and to be a force for good in the community.  

Since then, their members and their ambitions alike have grown tremendously.  

Today, they are the largest women’s organisation in the UK and they pride ourselves on being a trusted place for women of all generations, to share experiences and learn from each other.

A WI membership offers the opportunity to meet women in your local area in-person and virtually, to make friends and make a difference in your community.

They campaign nationally on a wide range of issues and provide life-long learning and self-development opportunities for women in England and Wales.

In 2023 they introduced WI Supporters Options as another way to engage with the WI movement without being a WI member.

This is an alternative way to engage with their work.